[Prevention of paralytic ileus after colonic surgery by continuous peridural sympathetic block. Preliminary report]

Gastrointestinal atony must be considered as a reflex response to surgical intervention, due to activation of sympathetic nerves. Following colonic surgery, the duration of this response may be notably extended and the ensuing intestinal distension becomes the paramount factor of a persisting ileus. Blocking the sympathetic fibers prevents intestinal distension. Introducing appropriate catheter into the peridural space up to the level of the 10th--11th thoracic vertebra makes it possible to realize a segmental continuous block between T6--L2, where gastrointestinal sympathetic innervation actually originates. Using bupivacaine at low concentration (0.125% with epinephrine 1/400,000) reduces untoward effect on circulation and may even prove beneficial if volaemia is effective. In addition, it produces a selective block on the visceromotor fibers which allows a differential diagnosis of the ileus, without risking to pass over a perforation of the gut whenever a coexisting mechanical factor is suspected.